NEW YORK (AP) – Campbell Soup says it supports federal legislation that would establish a national labeling standard for products containing genetically modified ingredients. About three-quarters of the company’s products have GMO ingredients. The maker of Pepperidge Farm cookies and Prego sauces says it will withdraw its support from various groups and coalitions opposing such labeling. Labeling over genetically modified ingredients has become a contested issue in recent years. States have tried addressing the issue and Vermont passed legislation requiring food makers to disclose when products contain genetically modified ingredients by July. Campbell says it opposes a patchwork of state-by-state laws that it believes would confuse consumers. If a federal labeling standard isn’t established in a “reasonable amount of time,” Campbell says it will label its products to disclose the presence of GMOs.
